Human Resources Manager

Ready for a challenging, fast-paced career where you are literally laying the groundwork that builds communities. Knife River is a construction materials & contracting company that believes in building things that last, and you can be a big part of our future.

As the Human Resources (HR) Manager for Knife River’s Oregon operations, you will lead a team of HR professionals overseeing day-to-day HR functions that drive strategic initiatives that enhance organizational performance and align with our competitive EDGE objectives. As a key leadership team member, you will develop and implement HR strategies that support business goals in talent acquisition and retention, compensation and benefits, workforce development, team member relations, compliance, and culture transformation. You will champion a People-First culture, ensuring HR programs drive engagement, operational excellence, and business success. You will also serve as a regional representative on company committees, working groups, and industry organizations, aligning regional and corporate HR priorities.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Seven or more years of proven progressive HR experience, including at least three years in a leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of HR best practices, employment law, and compliance regulations.
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams, delegating tasks, and driving results.
• Expertise in employee relations, conflict resolution, performance management, and policy administration.
• Experience leading organizational change initiatives and culture transformation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage at all levels.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information responsibly and professionally.
• Ability to travel as needed, including overnight stays, as needed. A valid driver’s license is required.
• Must be located in Portland or Tangent.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s degree in human resources, business administration, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Professional HR certification(s) (e.g., SHRM-CP, PHR, SHRM-SCP, SPHR).
• Ten or more years of proven progressive HR experience, including at least five years in a leadership role.
• Proven leadership experience in a unionized construction materials supply industry environment with a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., JD Edwards), HRIS (e.g., UKG), or other HR systems.
• Proficiency in HRIS and ability to analyze HR metrics and data for decision-making.
• Experience working with SmartSheets.
• Experience in developing or implementing employee engagement strategies, training and development programs, and employee surveys.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, with the ability to effectively communicate with a diverse workforce and ensure compliance with employment regulations.

Duties AND/OR Responsibilities:

What you’ll get to do:

1. Champion Safety and Compliance – Lead by example in promoting a safety-first culture, actively driving and supporting corporate and local safety initiatives while ensuring all HR programs align with safety objectives.
2. Drive a People-First Culture—Champion Knife River’s Core Values (People, Safety, Quality, and Environment), fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes employee engagement, well-being, and performance.
3. Ensure HR Compliance & Labor Relations Excellence – Oversee HR policies, compliance, and labor relations, ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local employment laws while mitigating risk and protecting company interests.
4. Lead Strategic Labor & Workforce Planning – Partner with regional and senior division leadership to develop and execute HR and talent strategies to drive the team member lifecycle by developing and implementing best practices for talent acquisition, onboarding, leadership development, engagement, retention, and offboarding, aligning with Knife River’s business goals.
5. Provide Expert HR Guidance – Act as a strategic advisor on complex, sensitive HR matters, including accommodations, workplace investigations, labor disputes, disciplinary actions, and terminations, ensuring legal compliance and ethical decision-making.
6. Foster Culture & Organizational Development – Assess company culture, identify opportunities for improvement, and lead learning and development initiatives to reinforce values, increase engagement, and build a high-performing organization that supports business success.
7. Support Mergers, Acquisitions, & Integration – Lead due diligence and integration efforts for acquisitions and business expansions, ensuring smooth transitions and alignment with corporate culture and HR standards.
8. Implement HR Best Practices & Performance Metrics – Drive HR operational excellence by establishing KPIs, leading process improvements, and implementing industry best practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
9. Partner with Operations for Strategic HR Planning – Collaborate with operations leaders to align HR initiatives with business priorities, ensuring HR strategies support operational goals and workforce demands.
10. Lead & Develop HR Teams – Provide leadership, guidance, and professional development for HR team members, building strong teams that deliver high-quality HR support and drive employee engagement.
11. Represent the Company & Industry – Actively participate in industry committees, national/regional meetings, and working groups, positioning Knife River as an employer of choice and industry leader. Stay informed on current HR trends, best practices and legal updates.
12. Ensure Agility & Responsiveness – Maintain the ability to travel on short notice and for extended periods to support business needs across the division.
13. Perform Additional Duties as Assigned – Take on special projects and leadership initiatives that enhance the company’s people strategy and organizational effectiveness.

How to Apply:

To be considered for this position, candidates must complete and submit an employment application at www.kniferiver.com by the posting deadline noted above. If unable to complete an application online you may print and send completed application to any Knife River NW address or stop in one of our locations to complete an application. Knife River is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state/federal law.

Subject to pre-employment drug testing and background check.